Cover image via Marcus Mark Ramos/CNA
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Malaysians and other foreigners caught vaping in Singapore could soon face deportation and permanent entry bans, under tough new measures coming into effect on 1 September
In a joint announcement, Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said foreigners found with e-cigarettes will have their devices confiscated and fined. Repeat offenders will face harsher penalties.
Short-Term visit pass holders who re-offend will be barred from re-entering Singapore, and Long-Term pass holders, including Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, Student Pass, Dependant Pass, or Long-Term visit pass, risk having their passes revoked on a third offence, followed by deportation and a permanent entry ban.
The crackdown is also targeting drug-laced vapes, particularly etomidate-based devices known as Kpods. Foreigners found with them, or testing positive for the substance, may be deported and barred from future entry.
Singapore Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said vape disposal bins will be placed at Changi Airport for arriving and transit passengers, with new advisories urging travellers to surrender their devices.
From September onwards, fines will also increase
First-time offenders under 18 will be fined SGD500 (RM1,650), up from SGD300, and adults will be fined SGD700 (RM2,300), up from SGD500.
Singapore Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam told local media that while leniency might be shown to young or first-time offenders, repeat offenders "will face removal".
The tougher penalties are part of Singapore's wider effort to combat what authorities call a "vaping scourge", with growing concern over the rise of drug-laced vapes.
A government test of 100 seized vapes in July found a third contained etomidate, an anaesthetic drug with ketamine-like effects.
